PLEASE NOTE ALL VACCINATIONS ARE NO LONGER ADMINISTERED AT THE PRACTICE. IF YOU REQUIRE A VACCINATION LISTED BELOW PLEASE ASK AT RECEPTION AND THEY WILL ADVISE WHERE YOU CAN RECEIVE THIS.
Hepatitis B Vaccination
Patients should seek advice from their employer. Students requesting Hepatitis B immunisation for occupational purposes are advised to contact the occupational Health Department at the University where provision for any immunisation will be made.
GPs do not provide an occupational health service as part of their NHS responsibility.
Tetanus vaccination
A vaccination to protect against tetanus is given as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.
The full course of the tetanus vaccination consists of five doses. The first three doses are given during early childhood. This is followed by two booster doses. The first booster dose is given at around four years of age. The second one is given 10 years later. After the full course, you should have lifelong immunity against tetanus. However, if you or your child has a deep wound, it’s best to get medical advice.
If you are not sure whether you’ve had the full course, for example because you were born in another country, contact your GP for advice.
Meningitis C Vaccination
Most students have already been immunised. This vaccine protects against one of the most common strains, but not all strains of the disease.
International students may not have been immunised and for further advice please contact the Student Health Services, National Meningitis Trust on 0845 6000 800 Local, or Freephone the Meningitis Research Foundation on 080 8800 3344.
Seasonal Flu and Covid Vaccinations
Flu (also known as influenza) is a highly infectious illness caused by the flu virus. Covid (also known as Coronavirus-19) has also become recently included in seasonal vaccination schedules. They are both infections that spread rapidly through small droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person.
Studies have shown that flu and Covid vaccines provide effective protection, although protection may not be complete and may vary between people. Protection from the vaccines gradually decreases and strains change over time. Therefore, new vaccines are made each year and people at risk of more serious illness are encouraged to be vaccinated annually.
The flu and covid vaccinations are offered to people in at-risk groups. These people are at greater risk of developing serious complications if they catch these illnesses, such as pregnant women and elderly people.
Flu and Covid vaccinations are delivered in dedicated seasonal vaccination clinics outwith the practice – you will be directly invited to an appointment if eligible for these.
Flu vaccine further information>>
Covid vaccine further information>>
Pneumococcal vaccination
This is also known as the pneumo jab, provides protection against pneumococcal infections.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is sometimes referred to as the pneumococcus bacterium. There are many different strains (types) of the bacterium that can cause a number of conditions, including:
- pneumonia – inflammation (infection) of the lungs
- septicaemia – a form of blood poisoning from an infection in the blood
- meningitis – an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
At-risk group
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some groups of people have a higher risk of the infection developing into a serious health condition. These include:
- children who are under two years of age
- adults who are 65 years of age or over
- children and adults with certain chronic (long-term) health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition
Types of pneumococcal vaccine
There are two different types of pneumococcal vaccine:
- pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV): this is given to all children under two years of age as part of the childhood vaccination programme
- pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV): this is given to people who are 65 years of age or over, and people at high risk
HPV Vaccine
The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine is designed to protect against certain strains of HPV. HPV is linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including cervical, mouth and throat and penile cancer. This vaccine is offered to all secondary school pupils and delivered as part of the schools vaccination programme
Although the vaccine is protective against cervical cancer it is necessary for women to attend regular cervical screening when asked to attend -this starts at 25 years of age and is now usually a 5-yearly check.
It is important that you get this protection early enough for it to be effective and the best time for that is in your early teenage years. The vaccine won’t protect you against other sexually transmitted infection. You will need three injections over a period of six months to get the best protection. You will be informed when your immunisation is due.
Call the free NHS helpline on 0800 22 44 88 (Textphone 18001 22 44 88).
Vaccination History/Status
As your vaccination status/history is very important, please give the details of any vaccinations that you have had done out-with the NHS to the receptionists so they can update your records. To obtain your vaccination history please submit your request to receptionists who will check with the GP before giving you the information. You will be asked for proof of ID before any personal history is given to you.
Please allow 3 working days for this to be completed if possible.